Monday, April 30, 2012

Strawberries on a Cloudy Day


So, the clouds aren't on the nails, but since we've had two overcast days, I haven't been able to take any pictures in the sun.

I love these little strawberries (they look like something from Pokemon)! 

I started with two coats of Essie Fiji - a lovely, very pale pink.  The berry comes from Shany plate SH19, the same plate I used for my Kites manicure.  I stamped it using Sally Hansen Insta Dri Rushing Rubies and Revlon Top Speed Emerald.  I topped it off with a dab of Sinful Green Glitter.



I wanted to add something else to jazz up the design, so I used the slanted lines on Cheeky Plate CH22 as an accent.

I was going for this:



...but I only managed to line it up like that on a few nails.

Overall, I think the accent adds a fun element (even it is stamped all crookedly!). Here's an inside pic with flash (oh, and dinged index finger!)


Have a sweet week, Konaddicts!

Friday, April 27, 2012

Layla Hologram Effects Ocean Rush

Apparently, trying to capture holographic nail polish on "film" is as difficult as trying to snap a photo of a Sasquatch!

Here's my best effort to show you just how gorgeous this polish is.


WOW!
This polish is amazing in the sun - which is the case with most good holos - but instead of that drab, grainy color that some holos have indoors, this polish is still a very beautiful blue indoors and in artificial light.

As for wearability, this gets another WOW from me!  These pictures are two coats of polish (I did use special aquabase for holos, although I've heard that isn't necessary) and topcoat.  The holographic effect is fabulous even with two coats of my usual Out The Door topcoat.  You'll see a little tipwear on my middle finger, but this was after about four days of wear (which is amazing for a holo polish)!

Here's another (giant!) look:

At $15 per bottle (gasp!), these are way out of my normal price range...but, the colors are beautiful - in sunshing and in shade, the polish is long-lasting, and you can wear topcoat without ruining the effect.  Surely, there must be a reason to treat myself to a few more bottles of this gorgeous stuff!

When I stop gawking, I'm sure I'll be back with more stamping.  Be well, Konaddicts!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Black and Purple Holo Nails


My holographic nail obsession continues.  I've even treated myself to a few bottles of Layla Hologram Effect polish.  While I'm waiting for that bit of "nail mail" to arrive, I decided to work with what I had - a very old bottle of Sally Hansen Magical Nail Makeup in a holographic purple.  

I stamped using plate A-03 and Milani Black Magic.  I used my standard topcoat so that dulled the holographic effect somewhat, but it still had a cool multi-dimensional look to it.  I only wish that I could capture the entire color effect on "film"!

Here's another look at it:


Okay, Konaddicts, tell me I'm not alone.  What are your current polish obsessions?

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Can-Can French Manicure

Hi, everyone!
I've opted for a simple mani today using a design from DRK-A.  For a base, I used two coats of  Orly French Manicure Sheer Nude.  On top of that, I used one coat of Bella Il Fiore - it's a blue-tinged sheer that came from an old French Manicure kit.  Milani Black Magic is my stamping polish.


The blue tint keeps the mani interesting, the pattern is simple and sweet, and, best of all, it was quick and easy! The result reminds me a bit of those leggy French Can Can dancers!


Don't be afraid to kick up your heels, Konddicts!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Hello Kitty Mini-cure

For today, I have a guest model - my great niece Rayana!

Rayana chose Insta Dri Fuschia Flash and Insta Dri Whirlwind White for, what she has called, her "Hello Kitty Leopard Zebra Team" nails.


Here's our final result:


What a cute combination!  I never would have thought of it.  

Our guest model seemed pretty pleased.

You can tell, she is working hard at her "guest model" face.
Be well, Konaddicts.  I hope you find love and creativity in surprising places this week!

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Simple Filigree


Here's a quick and easy mani I pulled together using Konad plate M83.  The base is Revlon Top Speed Stormy and Kleancolor Pastel Peach is the stamping color.  One reason I love Konad is that even when you don't have a lot of time, you can still come up with lovely results!

Take care, Konaddicts!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Floral Layers


One of the ladies in the Facebook Adventures in Stamping group showed off a gorgeous design and inspired me to try out the some layering.

I love the sparkle and the almost 3D effect that the layers create.

You can really see the glitter in artificial light! 
Here's what I used:



Layer 1: Two coats of Sally Hansen Extreme Wear polish in Lacey Lilac.
Layer 2: Cover Girl City Lights, a clear holographic glitter
Layer 3: Big pink flowers with Sally Hansen Insta Dri Fuschia Flare and Cheeky CH12 (pattern A in the photo below).
Layer 4: Smaller flowers with Cheeky CH12 and a Beautiful Scratchers Special Polish in Pastel Green (pattern B).  I had intended to stop there, but the green faded to almost white, so I decided to add one more layer.
Layer 5: Big flowers with Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in The Real Teal.  On the middle finger, I used Kleancolor Metallic Aqua but decided I liked the subtler color better.  I used Fauxnad M26 for the flowers (C).

I was pretty happy with the results!  I liked the sparkle and depth created by the layers.  I'm definitely going to try more of this.

What about you, Konaddicts?  Have you tried layering your patterns?  What combinations do you like best?

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Easter Nails


Happy Easter, everyone!
I've got a pink and sparkly manicure for this Easter Sunday.


I started with Sally Hansen Insta Dri Pink Blink.  Next, I added a coat of Pure Ice Spit Fire, a holographic sparkle in a pink base.  Cheeky Plate CH8 has candy cane-type stripes, so I used that plate to stamp the stripes in Insta Dri Spring Green, Insta Dri Fuchsia Flare, and Kleancolor Lavenbaby.

For me, Easter is about God providing hope and victory, even in the darkest and most desperate situations.  I pray that you have a blessed Easter and that God may grant you hope and peace.


Saturday, April 7, 2012

Zen Garden


I was aiming for a soothing, calming manicure (to counteract a very hectic week!) and I came up with this mani inspired by Zen gardens.


This is a base of 3 coats of Orly French Manicure Sheer Nude stamped with a swirly background using DRK-A plate and Cover Girl Boundless Color Bronze Beauty, a metallic bronze sparkle.

I used Revlon Top Speed in Emerald and Red Angel RA-115 to stamp the fern frond.  I used Bundle Monster BM-213 and Kleancolor Metallic Black to stamp the "rock pile".

It's a calming sort of look...now, if only I could get a massage, I'd be all set!

Have a relaxed day, Konaddicts!

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Seeing Stars


I have had stars on my mind for a while now.  I tried to come up with something different, unusual, awesome...but I didn't quite get there.  I ended up with the fairly traditional combination of dark blue and silver stars.

This is Sally Hansen Insta Dri Blazing Blue followed by topcoat with Spectraflair.  I stamped the stars using Cheeky plate CH4 and Love My Nails Silver Bullet.  I finished with my regular topcoat.


This was my first use of topcoat with Spectraflair while I was layering and stamping.  I'm still feeling my way through how best to use it.  For this mani, though, it may have been better to have used a holographic polish since the two topcoat layers seem a bit chunky...  :(



Well, living and learning...and looking up!  You keep looking up, too, Konaddicts!

Spectraflair tips, anyone?  I'm all ears!

Monday, April 2, 2012

Citrus Sunburst












For this fresh and fruity mani, I layered the stamps a bit, moving from the lighter color at the top to the red at the bottom.

I started with a base coat of Rimmel 60 Seconds Extreme polish in Va Va Voom.  I rounded off the edges of the swirled pattern on plate DRK-A with a q-tip so that I could get close to a solid stripe of circles.

I stamped using Sally Hansen Insta Dri Lightening, then L'oreal Pumpkin, and finally, Pure Ice Siren for the tips.




I like the overall bright and cheery effect, and I especially liked the layering of the lighter yellow over the slightly more peachy base color.  The pearl of the base color also provides an interesting contrast with the creme polishes overlying it.


Playing with colors is so much fun!  What combinations are you aching to try this summer, Konaddicts?


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